Saboti MP warns Kenyan legislators against escalating spat with Tanzanian counterparts
By Mabonga Makhanu, May 27, 2025Saboti Member of Parliament (MP) Caleb Amisi has, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, urged Kenyan legislators to cease the growing confrontations with Tanzanian MPs.
He has urged that the public exchanges only serve to embarrass Kenya and erode the country’s diplomatic standing in the region.
Speaking in the wake of a heated verbal exchange between leaders from the two countries, Amisi emphasised that Kenya, as a regional leader, should focus on guiding rather than confronting its neighbours, arguing that a strong regional state should focus more on guiding other weaker nations and not competing with them.
“The confrontation between Kenyan MPs and Tanzanian MPs, for whatever reason, must stop.”
“A strong regional state worth its salt does not confront its weaker neighbours. You guide them slowly to achieve desirable milestones.” Amisi said.
Amisi further noted that resorting to insults would only backfire, humorously acknowledging that Tanzanians have a mastery of derogatory language that Kenyans cannot match, saying that the end will be teary for Kenyans.
“Hata hivyo, Watanzania, kwa matusi mtaambulia patupu. Ni kama kushindana na ndovu kwa shonde. Bado hawajataja msenge, segemnege, nyege na kunyegezana — na tayari mwafukwa machozi wenzangu. Haya tuwachie Maulana,” he added.
He clarified that the original focus was President Samia Suluhu Hassan, over her stand on the deportation of Kenyan activists, and not Tanzania as a nation or its people, urging Kenyan leaders to stay focused and avoid unnecessary nationalism.
“Our focus was Madam President Suluhu, not Tanzania as a country or its people. Learn to stay focused,” Amisi said.
The genesis of the conflict
The tension began after President Samia Suluhu warned Kenyan activists against meddling in Tanzanian affairs, following the arrest and deportation of activists who had travelled to observe opposition figure Tundu Lissu’s treason trial.
In response, Tanzanian MP Joseph Musukuma, during a heated parliamentary session, claimed Tanzania is far ahead of Kenya politically and intellectually, arguing that Tanzanians have no need to learn from Kenya.
He dismissed the importance of speaking English and accused Kenyan activists of trying to export political chaos into Tanzania.
Musukuma defended the deportations, calling them necessary for the protection of Tanzania’s sovereignty.
Another Tanzanian legislator, Jesca Msambatavangu, took a more direct jab at Kenyan activists like Martha Karua, suggesting they displayed signs of mental illness.
She praised Tanzanian youth as disciplined and patriotic, in contrast to their Kenyan counterparts, who, she claimed, are easily swayed by political agitation and focused on online insults instead of nation-building.
She added that Tanzanian youth prioritises employment and stability over social media activism.